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EXPERTS INVESTIGATEURS INTERNATIONAUX EN AUTHENTICITÉ DES BEAUX-ARTS - ARTISTES ATTRIBUTION LEGITIMACY CONSULTATIONS

Investigating the Authenticity of Paintings and Drawings believed to be by or Attributed to;

John Sell Cotman

(Norwich 1782-1842 London)

English Norwich School Artist

Painter of Seascapes coastal scenes, architecture, churches, bridges and landscapes.

 John Sell Cotman had a fascination and a love of bridges and sketched many in his career. For him, any bridge was a meeting point, a landmark for travellers and would often be a point of reference on maps where rivers and roads meet.

Considering Cotman had no formal art tuition it is amazing the artistic standard he had reached for someone of such a young age for when he was aged just eighteen, he first exhibited at the Royal Academy showing five works.

In January 1834, through the good auspices of J.M.W. Turner, Cotman gained the post of Master of Landscape Drawing at King’s College School in London, which he held until his death.

Incredibly, for most of the twentieth century, Cotman was the most widely admired English watercolourist, surpassing even Turner in popularity

 His type of exquisite paintings are often poorly imitated today, with the attempted imitation or an attempt at deception undoubtedly due to the vastly increasing values of his works of art in recent years.

With so many variations of paintings claiming to be his, either deliberately faked or more commonly misrepresented or misattributed to his hand, be that mistakenly or deliberately, appearing on the art market.

 It may indeed be true that there are some works of his that were either lost, mislaid, or have been with families for eons that have never surfaced to date and are yet to be documented. But it must be said, some of the Cotmans' works that do appear on the open market will need investigating to be certain of their legitimacy.

 Falsified works however, simply effected by the inclusion of a copied signature or monogram placed on a work of art that is just a similar or early type, style, or the subject matter of John Sell Cotmans' paintings, or applied to a previously unsigned or lesser quality work, such as a student of the arts effort, where an original signature has been deleted and a new one added. It is no wonder that question marks can and sometimes do arise about the authenticity of some of his paintings.

* * *

 We are international fine art consultants, specialising in conducting full investigations into the authenticity of works of art created by artists in all categories, all regions and from historical eras, alongside scrutinizing their provenance.

Confidentially serving both private individuals and corporate clients from around the world for over 45 years, we can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity, legitimacy and the attribution of old and modern master works of art. Including the fine works of Cotman, his circle and followers, or any paintings or works of art that you are unsure about.

 Some examples of John Sell Cotman works and those signed with that name, appear below. No inference or question is made as to their authenticity, moreover they are a representational view of the types of works offered for sale at auction internationally which need to be understood and sometimes qualified.

John Sell Cotman (Norwich 1782-1842 London)
In the Grampians, a drover with his dog and

cattle beyond signed 'JS Cotman' (lower left)
pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour and with scratching out SOLD GBP £118,750.00

John Sell Cotman (1782-1842) A windmill, Blackheath signed with initials 'JSC'

inscribed and numbered '109 Mills Black

Heath' (on a fragment of the original mount attached to the current mount) pencil and watercolour on oatmeal paper SOLD GBP £14,340,00

Studio of John Sell Cotman (1782-1842)

Yarmouth beach, fishing pots with signature

and numbered '2489/Cotman' and inscribed 'Yarmouth Beach' pencil sketch
Estimate GBP £500 - 800 SOKLD GBP 8,400.00

  Both the duration and direction of any attribution or investigation of authenticity will always vary from project to project, but there are clear and well defined professional formalities, responsibilities and areas of s.

Directing detailed and complicated inquiries with multilingual, international academic research and any forensic applications that are required.

 Attribution:  Identifying and confirming the identity of a previously anonymous artist, studio or workshop from which a work of art most likely originated. Including the re-examination and investigation of a previous attribution which may be incorrect, or the scrutiny of an attribution that has been formally questioned or doubted.

 Confirmation:  Undertaking research and investigations into the legitimacy of the provenance, history and prior ownership of a work of art and establishing its own accuracy.

 Scrutiny: Examen minutieux: Identifying fake works of art and forgeries, including any false supportive accompanying documentation and determining works of art which may be studio or later copies, or previous incorrect attributions.

 Prosecution: Poursuite: Investigating alleged art fraud and forgery and assisting and advising those who are , or may be considering litigating or prosecuting the fact. This includes legal professionals and private clients.

 Attention:  Conducting all fine art related due diligence and duty of care inquiries. Including safe prepurchase or sale related audits and assisting clients in consolidating a well balanced future family distribution.

 Appraisal: Évaluation - Valuations, quality and condition reports.

Step one in the Art Authentication and Attribution process.

John Sell Cotman

Pre-Authentication Assessment

    Sensibly, before you begin any art authenticity, legitimacy, or any artist attribution investigation, it is more than wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment of the viability of the project conducted first. Made to independently and rationally balance any negative issues there may be against the positive elements. Treat this study as your safety net.

 We will be happy to professionally undertake this for you, based upon good quality images that you supply and all the known facts regarding its acquisition, the history and provenance of the work of art as is known to you.

You will then have a far better understanding of the prospects and pitfalls that could lie ahead.

See our FAQ's for details of the process

CONTACT US

We will respond to you promptly.

  Avant d'entreprendre une enquête sur l'authenticité d'une œuvre d'art ou l'attribution d'un artiste, il est plus que prudent de procéder à une évaluation impartiale de sa faisabilité. Ceci est fait pour équilibrer indépendamment tous les problèmes négatifs qui peuvent exister contre le positif.

Nous serons heureux d'entreprendre cette étude d'une manière professionnelle pour vous que nous considérons comme votre principal filet de sécurité.
Il sera basé sur les images que vous fournissez et tous les faits connus concernant votre acquisition, son passé et la provenance de l'œuvre telle que vous la connaissez.
Vous aurez alors une meilleure compréhension des perspectives et des difficultés éventuelles à venir, avant de prendre une décision.

  Antes de embarcarse en cualquier investigación de autenticidad artística o atribución de artista, es más que prudente realizar primero una evaluación imparcial de su viabilidad. Esto se hace para equilibrar independientemente cualquier problema negativo que pueda haber contra el positivo.

Nos complace emprender profesionalmente ese estudio para usted, que consideramos su red de seguridad. Se basará en las imágenes que usted suministre y todos los hechos conocidos con respecto a su adquisición, historia pasada y procedencia del trabajo tal como lo conoce.

Entonces tendrá una mejor comprensión.

ABOUT PAINTING DESCRIPTORS AND TERMINOLOGY

John Sell Cotman RA

  It is important to understand the auction terms used in any published descriptor and to be cautious of works that may just be painted in the style or manner of the artist, or even the stylized - would be copies of his works which happen to bear a signature or monogram. In this case the paintings and drawings of John Sell Cotman.

 Where the name, John Sell Cotman is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually as John Sell Cotman, then in their professional opinion they are in no doubt, it is the genuine and authentic item, one painted by the artist himself, John Sell Cotman.

 When Attributed to John Sell Cotman, similarly written or used, then in their opinion it is 'probably' a work by the artist, at least in part. But there is no guarantee. It's only an opinion.

 When John Sell Cotman; “Studio of ….” or “Workshop of John Sell Cotman" or atelier" is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work executed in the studio of the artist. Possibly by an apprentice or even a pupil under the principal artists supervision.

 But if the term John Sell Cotman, or “Circle of John Sell Cotman” is used, then in their opinion, it is a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence, or closely associated with the artist, BUT not necessarily by his pupil or student.

 When the name John Sell Cotman is given; or Painted in the “Style of John Sell Cotman” or “Follower of John Sell Cotman is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s 'style', but not necessarily by a pupil. But it may be contemporary, or nearly contemporary of the artist.

 If the phrase in the “Manner of John Sell Cotman, is used it is defined….” Then in their opinion it's a work painted in the style of the artist but of a later date and definitely not by the artist himself.

 When the term “After….John Sell Cotman"; is the term, then in their opinion it is a copy (made at any date) of an authentic and original work by the artist. This also applies to prints made 'after' an original..

 John Sell Cotman; “Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed John Sell Cotman” Then in their opinion the work has been signed/dated/or inscribed by that specific artist. The addition of a question mark however, indicates a strong element of doubt.

 When the term John Sell Cotman is used followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature John Sell Cotman/date/or inscription” Then in their opinion, the signature / date / or inscription is spurious, forged or has been added by someone else other than the artist.

We can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters.

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John Sell Cotman Expert International Art Authentication Investigators | Expertise Attributions Watercolours Oils, Authenticity | norwich school Landscape Fake Painting & Forgery Detection

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